The BBC is piloting one of the world’s first electric broadcast vehicles as part of a drive to become more environmentally friendly.

The vehicles, from Megahertz Ltd, are currently being trialled at BBC News by the newsgathering operations team for simple outside broadcasters in London, such as court cases.

The broadcaster added that if the pilot is successful, the aim would be to look at this technology when larger broadcast vehicles need replacing in the future.

Details of the pilot were revealed in public broadcaster’s sustainability strategy, Greener Broadcasting, published yesterday.

Inspired by the overwhelming response to Blue Planet 2, which highlighted the damage and environmental impact of plastic waste, the corporation has rolled out a series of initiatives that focus on informing audiences, and striving for sustainable broadcasting and sustainable operations.

The strategy set out a pledge to “continue to collaborate with and contribute to a more sustainable industry by investing in sustainable broadcast technology, delivery, production and supply chain.”

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General said: “Blue Planet II and the Plastics Watch initiative shows that, through our programmes and content, the BBC can be a force for social good. In time, we want our environmental impact to be positive too. We want, above all, to be a model for sustainable broadcasting.”